Under the Ocean to the South Pole | Page 7

heard it before.
"Show the gentlemen in, Washington," called the inventor.
"Dere's two ob 'em," objected the colored man.
"Show them both in, then."
Washington opened the door of the cabin, and in came two men, who
seemed much amused over something.
"What can I do for you?" asked the professor, in rather a sharp voice.
"He don't know us either, Tom," remarked the taller of the two.
"If it ain't Bill Jones and Tom Smith!" exclaimed Andy Sudds. "Wa'al
I'll be horn swoggled. Where'd ye come from?"
"Right from the farm," replied Bill. "And we've had a hard job locating
you. I guess Washington didn't know us since we raised beards," and
Bill stroked his wealth of brown whiskers.
"And I guess we sort of fooled the professor," went on Bill, "eh, Tom?"
"Right!" said Tom. "You see," he went on, "the farming business is
almost over, as its coming on fall now, so Bill and I thought it would be
a good time to hunt up the professor. We heard he was down in this
neighborhood so we come by easy stages. We didn't have any time to

stop and make our toilets, hence our beards."
"You've come at the right time," remarked the inventor, as he came
forward to welcome the two young men. "Do you remember the trip
you made with me to the north pole?"
"I guess we'll not forget it in a hurry," replied Bill.
"That's what made us hunt you up," put in Tom. "We hoped you might
have something similar on foot."
"I have," answered the inventor.
"What is it?"
"A trip under the ocean!"
For an instant the two young men hesitated. It was a new proposition to
them. Yet they recalled that they had come safely back from the
journey through the air.
"Do you want to go along as part of the crew?" asked the inventor, after
some further conversation.
"You can count on me!" cried Bill.
"And if Bill goes I'll go too!" exclaimed Tom.
"Under the seas or over the seas, it'll be all one to us if Professor
Henderson sails the ship!" went on Bill. "We'll go!"
"Good!" ejaculated the professor. "You certainly came at just the right
time."
As Tom Smith and Bill Jones were hungry a hasty meal was prepared
for them, during the eating of which they told of their experiences since
landing from the airship. They had been on a farm until fired with a
desire to go roving once more.

For the next few days the professor, the boys, and the other four were
busy making some improvements to the Porpoise. Tom and Bill were
much astonished at their first sight of the queer craft, but they soon
became accustomed to her, and said they preferred her to the airship.
"To-morrow we are going on a little longer trip than our first trial,"
announced the inventor one evening. "We will be gone all day if
nothing happens to make the stay more lengthy," he added grimly. "So,
Washington, put plenty to eat aboard."
A little later, when supplies had been put on the Porpoise, and the
machinery well overhauled, the professor explained that he intended
making a trip, entirely under water, from the dock in the cove to a point
off the Massachusetts coast and return.
Early the next morning all were aboard. To each one was assigned a
particular station. Washington, with Mark as an assistant, was in the
engine-room. Jack was to watch the various gages and registers to give
warning of any danger. The professor, of course, would be in the
conning tower and operate the craft. Andy was to be with him, to watch
out, with his sharp eyes, for any danger that might loom up in the path
of the searchlight. Tom and Bill were to be ready to help where needed.
With a hissing sound the water filled the tanks and the Porpoise sunk
beneath the waves. The engine that worked the endless screw was
started, and the threads, working on the water cable, shot the boat
ahead.
"We're off!" yelled Washington.
About sixty feet below the surface the craft was sent along. Mile after
mile was covered as shown by the patent log. The lights were turned
off, and through the thick plate glass windows the strange inhabitants
of the sea were observed.
"I think I'll go a little nearer the surface," said the professor to Andy.
The inventor started the pumps that emptied the tanks. The craft rose
slightly.

"Quick! Stop her!" shouted the old hunter, grasping the captain's arm.
Something black, like a grim shadow, loomed up in the dull glare of the
searchlight.
"What is it?" cried the professor.
"We're goin' to hit somethin' hard!" yelled Andy.
"It's the hull of a ship!" exclaimed